Burbank — Passengers did a double take on Southwest flight 896 from Sacramento to Burbank today, seeing Gov. Jerry Brown sitting among them — and flying completely solo — for his first official gubernatorial road trip to Los Angles Thursday.

And the Democratic governor was very much in budget-cutting mode, sitting in an everyman’s seat (he didn’t want to pay the $16 extra for Southwest’s “business select” seating), no press aides, no entourage, no security — not even his chief adviser, wife Anne Gust Brown.

“The people of California are good company,” Brown told us, after spending the flight in lively conversation with Dept. of Corrections employee Tianne Rios, a juvenile justice special education supervisor who sat down a seat away.

“You’re the governor, aren’t you?,” she asked as an introduction. “Nice to meet you. I work for you.”

Sitting right behind Brown and alongside were reporters in tow, including yours truly with the Chronicle/SFGate.com’s Shaky Hand Productions, ready to catch the action as he prepared to address the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce tonight. It’s a sold-out affair that will draw 1,500 to the JW Marriott at LA Live.

Here’s his take to the Shaky Hand on his budget travel mode as he wrapped it all up:

Still, Brown told us earlier that “I’m not in a big travel mood these days” as he wrestles with the state budget woes.

But he appeared relaxed and in a good mood, and folks on the flight smiled, whispered and stopped by to shake his hand, offer him good wishes, or get in a word.

“Now, do good,” said one passenger.

“You’re looking chipper today,” said another.

“Did the Senate take care of you yesterday?” asked Republican Assemblyman Cameron Smyth of Santa Clarita as he passed by. Brown mentioned his meetings with the GOP caucuses. “I don’t know if I enjoyed it,” Smyth said with a laugh.

Brown ended up deep in conversation with Rios, who got what amounted to a private hourlong session with him — engaged in a lively debate about probation, youth justice issues, and the challenges of youth incarceration.

J.J. Jelincic, a board member of CalPERS, was sitting behind Brown, and also chatted with Brown. He said the governor’s low rent travel “seems terribly appropriate these days.”

And Rhino Records senior vice president Mark Pinkus was absolutely delighted to be sitting two seats behind a solo, shirtsleeved governor. “It’s saving us money, and it’s “of the people” of California,” said Pinkus, who oversees the catalogue and recordings of the Grateful Dead.

“I voted for him. and I’ve got faith we’re going to come out of this mess,” he said. “I feel good that he’s leading us out.”

At flight’s end, Brown took congratulations from a Southwest flight attendant who lauded the governor for appointing his ex-roommate, Carla Peterman of Oakland, to the energy commission.

Here’s that moment as caught by the Shaky Hand:

We’ll bring you more from Brown’s press conference in Burbank, and from the LA Chamber tonight. Stay tuned.